Elite College Advising works with families in New York City. We are based in Chicago. Most of our work happens by video, and I travel to meet families in person once a quarter, especially those in long-term engagements. As an NYC college admissions consultant, I start with what makes applying from New York City different: some of the most concentrated pools of strong students in the country, at schools that admissions offices know very well.
We work with families across the US and internationally; this page covers what is specific to New York City.
How specialized high school students are read
New York City has nine specialized high schools. Eight admit students by a single exam, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science and Brooklyn Tech, and LaGuardia admits by audition. A student who earned a place at one of them is already strong, and so is nearly everyone else in the class. Admissions readers know these schools and read each applicant against classmates applying to the same colleges. A strong transcript and a full schedule of advanced courses are expected. What decides the outcome is whether the application shows something specific to this student, not another version of the profile the reader saw ten files earlier.
Applying from other NYC public and private schools
Students at New York's other selective public schools and at its independent and parochial schools face the same comparison in a different form. At a small private school, the counselor letter and the school profile carry real weight, and the relationship with the counselor matters. At a large public school, the student often has to make the case more clearly in the application itself. In both cases, our work starts the same way: find what is distinctive about your student, and build the application around it years before the essays are written.
SUNY, CUNY and the real cost of staying in state
New York's public universities deserve a deliberate place on the list. The Excelsior Scholarship covers remaining SUNY or CUNY tuition for families with household income of $125,000 or less, and it requires the student to live in New York after graduating for as many years as they received the award. CUNY's Macaulay Honors College offers full-tuition scholarships to New York State residents. Both change the math for many families, and both come with conditions that matter. We build the list around fit, odds and net cost together. For more, read How to Read a Financial Aid Offer and Merit Aid Is Pricing, Not Recognition.
How we work with New York City families
Sessions are scheduled around your student, not around a fixed calendar: after school, evenings or weekends, whatever works for your family. We already work across time zones, including with a student eight hours ahead of Chicago. I also travel to meet families in person once a quarter, especially those in long-term engagements. Between sessions, SmartTools keeps every deadline, document and session note in one place for the student, parents and advisor.
New York City families have access to the same services as every other ECA family, from early planning through applications. You can see each option on our Offerings page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you meet in person?
Yes, for many families. Most sessions are by video, which makes it easy to fit around school and activities, and I fly out once a quarter to meet families in person, especially those in long-term engagements.
Have you worked with New York City students?
Yes. We have worked with families in New York City.
When should students start?
Ideally in 9th or 10th grade, which leaves time to build depth. We also work with juniors and seniors.
Start with a free 30-minute strategy session
An honest read on where your student stands and what to do next. Every family that completes the call receives our free College Application Rules guide.
Schedule a Free Strategy Session